A team of neurosurgeons, engineers, and Hollywood special effects experts created a realistic 3D simulator for practicing endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) procedures. The simulator's effectiveness was evaluated in early tests, showing improved accuracy and safety compared to traditional cadaver-based training.
Researchers found that low levels of the 'memory protein' NPTX2 are associated with reduced levels of cognition and memory loss in Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that the combination of low NPTX2 and amyloid plaques disrupts neural activity, leading to cognitive failure.
A study found that nearly 80% of healthcare professionals believe patients will refuse to disclose their sexual orientation, but only 10.3% of patients reported the same. Closing this disclosure gap can improve care for LGBTQ+ patients, who have historically poorer health and less access to healthcare.
Scientists have identified nerve cells in the skin of genetically engineered mice that sense both touch and motion, enabling active perception of the environment. This discovery advances the search for better prosthetics with natural sensory feedback for people.
A new noninvasive imaging test, sestamibi SPECT/CT, has been shown to accurately rule out kidney cancers. The test adds diagnostic information to conventional CT and MRI scans, improving physicians' ability to differentiate between benign and malignant tumors.
Researchers found that defective forms of HIV create proteins recognized by cytotoxic T cells, which can distract the immune system from functional viruses. This discovery could help develop a vaccine to boost immunity against HIV.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine study found that air pollution directly causes inflammation in the nasal and sinus tissues of mice. The researchers exposed mice to polluted air for 16 weeks, showing increased white blood cells and biomarkers of inflammation.
Researchers discovered a birth-and-death cycle of neurons in the adult mouse gut, with about five percent of nerve cells regenerating daily or a third every week. This finding has profound implications for understanding and treating digestive system disorders and diseases.
Researchers found a region on chromosome 19 that represses Xist, allowing for the activation of multiple X chromosomes in female embryos. This discovery may explain the worldwide human sex ratio, which has slightly favored males over females.
Researchers found that Candida yeast infections contribute to bowel difficulties in men with schizophrenia. Probiotics also decreased delusions and hallucinations in participants without a history of yeast infections. Larger studies are needed to validate these findings and determine their effectiveness for women with schizophrenia.
A new hand-held EEG device has been shown to accurately rule out brain bleeding in patients with head injuries. The device, approved by the FDA in 2016, can quickly assess electrical activity in the brain to determine if a patient needs further evaluation and treatment.
Seventy percent of patients who kept their gallbladders despite experiencing biliary pancreatitis had no recurrence four years later. A large database analysis found that many patients who did not undergo surgery within 30 days still had no recurrences over a four-year follow-up period.
A clinical trial of nivolumab found that 16% of patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer survived at least five years, significantly higher than the standard 1-4% survival rate. Researchers hope to identify specific genetic markers linked to long-term response.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that learning a new task involving the hands can also improve performance with the foot, as measured by changes in brain activity between the motor cortex and cerebellum. This study demonstrates the brain's ability to adapt and transfer motor knowledge across body parts.
Researchers identify Ephexin5 as a key regulator of brain cell connections in Alzheimer's disease, finding that removing the protein prevents deficits in animal models. By targeting Ephexin5, drugs may be developed to prevent or treat symptoms of the disorder.
A study published in Nature Genetics reveals that large regions of the human genome have built-in variability in reversible epigenetic modifications, which enables cancer cells to proliferate and adapt. This variation can make cancer cells more resistant to chemotherapy and treatment.
A new study by Johns Hopkins scientists reveals that nearly two-thirds of cancer mutations are caused by random DNA copying errors. The researchers developed a mathematical model based on DNA sequencing and epidemiologic data, estimating that 66% of cancer mutations result from copying errors.
Researchers developed a gene therapy that restored balance and hearing in genetically modified mice with Usher Syndrome. The study's positive results suggest potential for treating various inherited vestibular and hearing disorders in humans.
Researchers found that eosinophils play a key role in the progression of heart muscle inflammation to heart failure in mice. The study suggests that eosinophils may be responsible for the deterioration of heart muscle function, even in the absence of severe inflammation.
A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that city living can worsen asthma in poor children, with urbanization and black race being strong independent risk factors for increased asthma morbidity. The study analyzed data from over 16 million children enrolled in Medicaid between 2009-2010.
A lab study identifies mutations in hepatitis C virus that evade the natural immune system and vaccines, highlighting a major barrier to vaccine development. Researchers found that these mutations occur outside of traditional vaccine targets and confer resistance to commonly used antibodies.
A team of experts concludes that regulatory, behavioral and scientific evidence supports making oral contraceptives available over-the-counter for adults and teens. Studies show that teens can safely use 'the pill' to prevent unwanted pregnancies, and wider access could lead to fewer teen pregnancies.
A Johns Hopkins study found lower allopregnanolone levels in the second trimester predict increased risk of postpartum depression. The research may lead to diagnostic markers and preventive strategies for the condition affecting up to 20% of American women who give birth.
Researchers discovered proteasomes embedded in nerve cell membranes, degrading proteins and expelling peptides that carry essential signals. This finding suggests a new role for proteasomes in cell-to-cell communications and raises questions about neurological disease.
Researchers found that removing GRASP1 protein reduced mice's ability to learn and recall information. The protein plays a crucial role in recycling receptors in brain cells, which is essential for strengthening neural connections required for learning and memory.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have designed a fully synthetic yeast genome, dubbed Sc2.0, which is smaller and more customizable than the natural yeast genome. The artificial genome allows scientists to study genetic questions that are difficult to answer with natural yeast, enabling new discoveries in biotechnology.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine found that in-home occupational therapy significantly reduces the severity of depression in patients with central vision loss. The therapy, which includes training on daily activities like cooking and reading, is more effective than supportive therapy in improving mental health outcomes.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that a professional pest management intervention was no better at decreasing asthma symptoms in children allergic to mice than teaching families how to reduce mouse allergens on their own. Both groups showed substantial reductions in mouse allergen levels an...
Researchers found that adults with autism process unrelated words similarly to those without the disorder, using distinct learning strategies. The study suggests that adults with autism use an alternative mechanism to process language, resulting in a different pattern in the brain.
Scientists found that cell powerhouses called mitochondria can break down misfolded proteins, which are thought to contribute to neurodegenerative diseases. This discovery could help explain why protein clumping and mitochondrial deterioration are hallmarks of these conditions.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found no evidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in tumor tissues from 125 patients with aggressive brain cancers. The study suggests that targeting the virus may not be effective in treating glioblastoma and other high-grade gliomas, which are common primary brain cancers in adults.
In a clinical trial, the ketogenic diet was found to be a safe and effective treatment option for adults with super-refractory status epilepticus (SRSE), a rare and severe form of epilepsy. The diet was shown to stop seizures in 79% of patients, with eight recovering within a week.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a chain reaction that shields breast cancer stem cells from chemotherapy, making them resistant to treatment. The discovery could lead to the development of drugs that block this pathway, improving chemotherapy effectiveness.
A team of researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine has identified a crucial enzyme, RAG-2, that enables precise DNA rearrangement during white blood cell development. This process is essential for producing novel antibodies that recognize and combat viruses and bacteria.
In a groundbreaking study, 16 patients with severe aplastic anemia were successfully treated using partially matched bone marrow transplants followed by chemotherapy. After stopping immunosuppressive drugs over a year after their transplants, all patients showed no evidence of the disease.
A recent study published in Science found that sleep deprivation impairs the brain's ability to consolidate new memories in mice. The researchers discovered that homeostatic scaling down, a process that weakens synapses, occurs during sleep and is essential for learning and memory formation.
Researchers found that cocaine users are more likely to engage in risky sex when under the influence, citing 'sexual impatience' as a key factor. The study suggests providing condoms to drug users is crucial in preventing the spread of STIs.
A blood test detecting hypermethylation in tumor DNA predicts shorter survival for women with high levels of cancer-linked DNA, indicating worsening disease. The test, cMethDNA, may help identify breast cancers at higher risk for recurrence and track treatment success.
A study found that two problem proteins known to cause Parkinson's disease are chemically linked, suggesting a common target for a single drug. Reducing one protein leads to an increase in the other, which can be mitigated by a treatment targeting the link.
The updated guidelines provide better direction for clinicians to make accurate diagnoses and recommend personalized treatment. The new criteria lower the threshold for possible cystic fibrosis, reconsidering patients with chloride levels between 30-40 millimoles per liter.
Researchers develop a new peptide that suppresses abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage in the eye, causing regression of established vessels. The peptide lasts longer than current treatments, potentially requiring only annual injections instead of monthly ones.
Biologists at Johns Hopkins have found that extra centrosomes in mice can lead to tumor formation due to improper chromosome separation. This discovery provides a new model for cancer research that more closely mimics human tumors, with half of the mice developing cancer within 9-18 months.
Johns Hopkins researchers successfully created mature heart muscle cells from human or animal stem cells by implanting them into newborn rat hearts. The host animal's biological signals and chemistry enabled the immature cells to mature, overcoming a developmental blockade.
A new survey found that 59% of Baltimore's youth-serving organizations do not offer HIV testing, highlighting the need for better integration of community-based services and clinical care. Organizations with HIV testing were more likely to provide general health services and referral services for sexually transmitted infections screening.
A recent survey of primary care physicians found that 15% support the complete repeal of Obamacare, lower than the general public's percentage. The majority, 74%, favor changes to the law, such as creating a public option or increasing health savings accounts.
Biomedical engineers at Johns Hopkins create a method to deliver and release concentrated amounts of drugs to the brain using ultrasound pulses. The technique has the potential to advance many therapies and research studies, minimizing side effects and potentially bringing new treatments to humans within a year or two.
Researchers found that coronary artery calcium scores can help personalize treatment for patients with mild to moderate high blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease. The study suggests using these scores to determine the most appropriate blood pressure treatment strategy for each patient.
A study found that epigenetic changes, not DNA mutations, drive metastasis in pancreatic cancer cells. Researchers also identified a potential therapeutic target to block tumor formation in lab-grown cancer cells.
Researchers find that decapitation of primary cilia, a process linked to cellular duplication, is triggered by the presence of Inpp5e protein, which helps stabilize cilia. The study also reveals that wire-like structures formed in cilia contribute to decapitation, and that this process is essential for full cilia disassembly.
Experts develop five-stage system to classify heart disease risk, including earlier stages for previously underrecognized populations. The new system puts focus on those who pass stress tests or have less obvious danger signs.